Cardiff City signed the former Crewe defender after months of reported interest, for a bargain price of £1.5m back in the summer.

According to Derby County Chief Executive Sam Rush, the 26-year-old refused to commit his future to the club amid of Premier League interest and the club decided to take the cut price fee instead of running the risk of losing him for nothing at the end of the season.

John Brayford was a very popular figure at Pride Park [now the iPro Stadium] and many fans were disappointed to see the player leave.

Five months on and the ever-present Championship defender is still yet to register a single Premier League appearance, and the two games he has played have been in the League Cup.

It's understood that Brayford is now surplus to requirements in Wales amid the change in management, despite his short time at the club and they're open to allowing the player to leave on loan.

Bournemouth were the first team to reportedly initiate interest in the defender, as reported earlier in the week. But it's no surprise Nigel Clough, the manager that brought him to Burton and Derby is also interested in his former player.

Ipswich Town are currently the highest positioned club to register interest in the player, currently 10th in the league. And despite being in free fall Blackpool are only 9 points away from 6th placed Reading, but could face an imminent manager change, if rumours are to be believed.

Last season he was considered one of the most promising players outside the Premier League and should be considered a top signing for all the clubs interested.